Stop Abusive Litigation Against Small Business

In the past few years, there has been a rise in what is called "trolling" by large corporations against smaller ventures. Trolling is a way for the big guys to use threats of lawsuits to get rid of their competition and to create monopolies over words, concepts, and ideas that prevent new businesses from entering the market.

Trolling is especially prevalent in intellectual property cases, like trademark, copyright, and patent. Intellectual property refers to creations of the mind, like art, literature, film, music, and inventions. Trademark, copyright, and patent trolls go after new artists, innovators, and entrepreneurs and try to claim ownership over all new ideas.

One of the most notorious IP bullies is Monster Energy Company, largely owned by Coca-Cola. Read about some of Monster Energy's more recent shenanigans here:

And of course, Monster Energy isn't alone. Giants like Nautica Apparel have also joined the trolling ranks, filing legal proceedings against anyone who uses "NAUTI" in any way, shape, or form. Read about how one tiny business successfully fought back here:

The Goliaths of the world are backed by resources, which allow them financial power over the Davids of the world. But money isn't everything.

Small businesses, artists, and entrepreneurs with passion, determination, and moxie can band together to rebalance the scales. By creating a way for the little guy to have a voice and fight back, we can build a new environment in which it's no longer economical for the big guys to threaten meritless litigation just to get people to back down. If we don't back down, we can win.

It's time to tell the trolls that we've had enough.

If you are:

a small business who has received an unreasonable cease and desist letter demanding that you give up your legal rights or face imminent litigation;

incensed by the practice of suing small businesses in an attempt to pressure them to give up their rightfully owned property;

someone who wants to take a stand against those that use the threat of litigation to force individuals and small business to bend to corporate will; or

an individual who knows that, by joining forces, we can change the world,

Then sign this petition to send a message that trolling must STOP.

And if you want to make an immediate difference, join independent coffee roaster/activist Breyting Community Roaster's campaign to raise money for a legal defense fund for victims of trolling. From now until October 31, 2016, Breyting is donating all the profits from its website sales at www.communityroaster.com to help create The Bully Defense Fund. You drink coffee anyway - why not drink even better tasting coffee, and make a difference at the same time?

The Bully Defense Fund will pay for expert legal representation for resource-strapped victims of trolling. To make this happen, Breyting has teamed with Bricolage Law, LLC, a firm founded by the attorney for Monsterfishkeepers, Thunder Beast, Nautigirl, and other bullying victims, Eve J. Brown. Bricolage, which is defined as “leveraging the resources at hand to affect positive, systemic change” will use their experience in David v. Goliath legal battles to help small businesses win this fight.

Remember, every mighty oak was once a little nut that stood its ground. Stand tall, no matter how small you are.